The Game Changer programme is a partnership between Gaelic Games, Ruhama, and White Ribbon Ireland designed to raise awareness and action through sport to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in Ireland.
New research has reinforced the importance of the Game Changer programme, a partnership between Gaelic Games, Ruhama, and White Ribbon Ireland designed to raise awareness and action through sport to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in Ireland.
Eighty-nine per cent of people in Ireland agree that sporting organisations have an important role to play in combatting gender-based inequality and violence in society. The findings are part of a nationally representative Red C survey of men and women in the Republic of Ireland, released today to mark the launch of phase two of the Game Changer programme.
Game Changer is a three-year collaborative project between Ruhama, White Ribbon Ireland, and the GAA, supported by the Ladies Gaelic Football and Camogie Associations, supported and funded by Cuan. Launched in November 2024, the project will deliver a number of initiatives and will work with Gaelic Games to:
- Challenge the societal culture of sexual violence, including sharing of pornography, intimate image abuse and sexual exploitation.
- Encourage behaviours that support values of gender equality and respect; and build confidence, opportunity and ‘sense of place’ for women and girls.
- Encourage men and boys to engage in active allyship to eradicate gender-based violence in our society.
- Support the challenging and disclosure of abusive behaviours.
- Raise awareness of the harms and consequences of human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Phase 2 is underway and focuses on the development of several e-learning modules that will be made available on Tobar, the GAA’s E-learning platform to audiences within the Gaelic Games family including teenage and adult players, coaches, and the wider membership, by the end of July. A public awareness campaign will also be delivered during Phase 2.
Game Changer’s aim to engage men and boys in combatting gender-based violence was strongly endorsed in the research, with eighty-seven per cent of respondents stating that men have an important role to play in combatting gender-based inequality and violence. There is much work to be done to tackle this insidious societal issue, as the survey highlights 41 per cent of women aged 18-34 in Ireland have experienced either sexual harassment, unsolicited sexual remarks, or felt a threat of gender-based intimidation or violence when taking part in sports or physical exercise.
In other settings, 77 per cent of 18-34-year-old women in Ireland have experienced being ‘cat called’ in the street; 70 per cent have been unwantedly stared or looked at in a sexually suggestive way by a stranger; 31 per cent have been stalked or followed; and 26 per cent have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.
Gender gap in what constitutes sexual harassment
The survey found that men in Ireland are less likely than women to view certain behaviours, including ‘cat calling’, being sent unsolicited sexual images, and being subject to unwanted sexual gestures or comments as rising to the level of sexual harassment, with this gap most pronounced amongst young men aged 18-34.*
Further insights show that most Irish people have a low tolerance of sexual harassment, with 84 per cent feeling confident enough to intervene if they witness sexual harassment and 76 per cent claiming they would personally intervene. However, the findings also show that a small proportion of younger men, aged 18-34, view harassment as a private matter (30 per cent), feel too awkward to intervene (29 per cent), or are less likely to see intervening as an obligation (17 per cent).
Impact of sexual harassment on women
The survey also reveals the impact of sexual harassment on women who have experienced it in sports or physical exercise settings. 45 per cent of women who train regularly take a wide variety of precautions, such as not exercising at night (17 per cent), keeping their phone to hand (15%), not exercising alone (9 per cent) and covering up in regard to what they wear (5 per cent), with a smaller number (4 per cent) reporting that they bring along something that could be used a weapon. 85 per cent of people believe that harassment and gender-based discrimination in sports has a negative impact on female athletes' performance.
Announcing the second phase of Game Changer, Colin Regan, community and health manager with the GAA, Barbara Condon, CEO of Ruhama, and Sean Cooke of White Ribbon Ireland, said: “Game Changer was created to help harness the power of Gaelic Games to address the insidious issue of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland. This research reinforces the importance of what is a unique collaboration in an Irish sporting context.
“The Gaelic Games family acknowledges we are not subject matter experts in this field, and we will continue to be guided by White Ribbon Ireland and Ruhama as we move into the next phase of Game Changer. Phase Two entails a suite of e-learning content that will target audiences within our memberships, including players, coaches and officers, as well as a public awareness raising campaign.
“Work is also continuing on related rule, policy, and procedural frameworks within Gaelic Games, and we’re delighted to see almost universal support for the adult safeguarding motion passed at GAA congress last month. Replicate motions will be debated at LGFA (Ladies Gaelic Football Association) and Camogie congresses in the coming weeks.”
Dr Stephanie O’Keefe, CEO of Cuan, said: “This ambitious initiative has the potential to bridge the gap between national policy and real-life progress on the ground, building safe spaces for women, girls and boys in sport. Leadership at national and grassroots level is essential in responding to the threat of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence as well as challenging the social and cultural norms that drive these behaviours. This initiative is a game-changer and we are committed to its enduring success.”
For more information on Game Changer see https://learning.gaa.ie/gamechanger.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article go to: https://www.alwayshere.ie/ for support.